My #2018MakeNine Sewing Review…err, it’s not quite as good as I thought!

Hello! I thought it timely to do an end of year review of my #2018MakeNine makes, since I’m planning my #2019MakeNine Sewing! In short, this year my plans seem to have started with a flourish, gained some solid middle ground and then, surprisingly, dwindled to absolutely nothing, as we shall see! Unlike the previous year, I still stand by #2018MakeNine plans; what I haven’t sewn yet, I’m absolutely sure I’ll sew at some point soon. Gah! I was absolutely convinced I’d nail these projects but, in fairness, I think I’ve good reasons for not doing so yet. Reasons? Or Excuses? You decide!

Anyhoo, in no particular order, let’s start with the projects I did complete…

I’ve made two, quite different, versions of this top – the one in this picture is in a cotton lawn and I’d class it as a shirt; the other I made in some soft viscose which is more ‘blouse’ like – is the only difference between the definition of a women’s shirt and blouse; the fabric it’s made in? Does anyone know or shall I ask Alexa?!

Of the two, I prefer the look of the lawn one but much prefer the feel and wear of the viscose one. I think what I’m saying is, my ideal version would be this print in a viscose! You can read my full post and review of the patternHERE.

Ah, I love this dress pattern; it’s quick and simple to sew and fit, is really easy to wear and absolutely ‘covers your assets’ with that secure wrap front! I made mine ahead of time having already decided with my co-hosts, Suzy and Monika, that the ‘wrap dress’ was going to be our 2018 #sewtogetherforsummer challenge garment of choice! I’m glad I chose this one as it was perfect for my body type – as I say, no gaping at the bust! I’m also planning to do the top/cardi version of this dress using the free expansion pack from Cashmerette at some point soon. You can read my full review of the Appleton dressHERE.

I’d selected a generic legging as part of my #2018MakeNine list rather than name the ‘Avery Leggings’ as these were sewn as a pattern test, i.e. not yet released. But it was always going to be these! It’s a really simple pattern featuring just the one leg seam; and the way the waistband is constructed means these leggings aren’t going anywhere when you wear them!

Both pairs I made are more ‘yoga pants’ than daywear leggings. I really need to source some regular (70% stretch) jersey to make some I can wear on a daily basis because, admittedly, the yoga pants certainly aren’t getting that! You can read my full review of them HERE.

Ah! Making this felt like a real defining moment in my sewing! I blogged about the making of this coat in a series of diary-style posts, as I wanted to portray an honest reflection of the sweat that went into making it. At the outset of writing the posts, I wasn’t even sure I was going to complete it! But complete it I did and it gave me so much more confidence in my sewing; at the end of this make I was ready to tackle anything! You can read the final post in the series HERE.

The Monsal Lounge Pants are a pattern from the bestselling book ‘A Beginners Guide to Sewing with Knitted Fabrics’ by Wendy Ward, of which I was fortunate to be part of the promo Blogger Tour. I absolutely love these pants; ideal for when you really don’t want to get out of your PJs but unfortunately you forcibly have to get yourself dressed in order to be able to leave the house! Subsequently, they’ve had so much wear over the course of the year that I really, really need to crack on and sew a couple more pairs because they’re starting to look tired. You can read the full post on these HERE.

I made three versions of this particular View of the Halifax Hoodie in quick succession and they’ve all had a ton of wear. Again they’re starting to get tired now – as tired as I look in this photo, even. I think next year I’ll have a go at a different View – perhaps the zip-up full Hoodie version. You can read my full blog post on these initial makes HERE.

…I’m sensing a theme with the projects I did sew and that is ‘comfort’…

My #2018makenine plans

So, up until this point, I was doing rather well with my #2018MakeNine plans! I think I’m sensing a theme with the projects I did sew and that is ‘comfort’, which goes some way to explaining why I haven’t yet sewn the last three patterns on my List!

The remaining three patterns are a formal pair of trousers and a tailored looking jacket, as well as smart/casual pair of pants – namely Butterick 5908, McCalls 7513 and the Sasha Trousers by Closet Case Files. I still love all of these patterns and they’re there, at the top of my sewing queue…

…where they’ve been sat, staring at me accusingly, all year!

To make me feel even more guilty, making matters worse, not only do I have the patterns, in a couple of instances I also have all the fabrics and notions for them too!

So why haven’t I made them yet?!

McCalls 7513 ‘Hacking Jacket’

McCall’s 7513 #2018makenine

The main reason I haven’t sewn it yet is, simply, I made a priority of sewing the Minoru Jacket, as that just felt a more practical make for the time of year. That and knowing I’ll probably toile this jacket before making it. In my head, it feels a substantial project that I just haven’t been able to justify prioritising.

But, without a doubt, I’m making this jacket. I have some gorgeous plaid wool and I’m using the same lining (in a different colourway) that I used to line my Minoru Jacket. I also have the most perfect bronze buttons. It’s getting made! And soon! Just not this side of 2018, haha!

The Sasha Trousers by Closet Case Files

Sasha Trousers Closet Case Files

I think its fair to say I adore Closet Case Files – there isn’t a pattern they’ve released that I have not loved. That’s not to say I want to sew them all, but I do absolutely want to sew these, the Sasha Trousers, as they include all the details I love in a decent pant.

So why haven’t I sewn them? It’s simple. They require a woven with 20% cross grain stretch. I find that fabric really hard to find here in the UK. I did, after much online sleuthing, eventually source three different colourways and duly ordered them (from Fabric Godmother); but then I made a toile version of the Eleanore Jeans by Jalie first which I ended up loving, not least because they’re so quick to sew. I urgently needed trousers, so I sewed up two further pairs (see that post HERE), with slight mods, to fill that gap – honestly, you can sew them in a day. And so, poor Sasha got waylaid; her welt pockets (which, thankfully, no longer frighten me) and other details which would make her a more involved sew, meant that she got put on a back-burner.

But I still need her in my life, so I’m on the hunt for more stretch woven fabric. I’ve got my heart set on a rich burgundy pair – they’d pair rather nicely with the McCalls 7513 jacket in fact! Please, if you know where I can get my hands on some, let me know; I shall be forever grateful!

Last but not least, it’s …

Butterick 5908 Wider Leg Trousers

Wide leg trousers sewing pattern

I haven’t sewn these classic wider leg pants for one reason only. When and where would I actually wear them?! Certainly not running errands or lounging around/being active with the kids at the weekend, which is all I seem to do in life these days! When I’m not sat sewing in sweatpants or PJs that is!

These are my imaginary ‘ideal self’ trousers then; the ‘me’ that makes an effort to do yoga every day (in my Avery Leggings, natch); the ‘me’ that is not always running around like a headless chicken and actually makes an effort to look smart when I leave the house! The ‘me’ that shrugged her shoulders and thought, “Nah, I’d rather just be comfy instead!”

So, I think I’ve just had something of an epiphany writing this! Perhaps its a Catch 22 situation; if I actually sewed, and therefore wore, smarter things, I might actually be motivated to get my act together and start doing yoga everyday?!

On that note, I shall leave you – if you celebrate Christmas, I hope you’re excited and ready for the festive period. I know I am, pass me a Mince Pie would you? (I don’t even like Mince Pies, haha!)

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I think part of the difference in definition between shirt and blouse is to do with shoulder seam placement, i read it on a blog once! Your makes are awesome and i had to laugh with the wide leg pants as just about all my lazy weekend wear/day to day outfits would feature wide leg pants and it made me wonder what your go to everyday outfit would be.

Haha, I was just about to do my summary when I saw this! I’ve completed even fewer of mine! Never mind, you’ve done a lot more than what was on your list. Looking forward to seeing your #2019makenine x

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